More drivers are coming, and it’s not too early a time. As the world waits to learn more about the Omicron variant, two sources confirm that Ontario will announce an expansion of eligibility for third-shot boosters on Thursday for anyone age 50 and older, with an opening date set for mid-December. .
It may be late; it doesn’t solve all problems, because nothing does. But it is a welcome move.
By Ontario standards, this counts as lightning. Omicron’s detection was announced by the World Health Organization last Friday; For Ontario to announce a meaningful and useful policy change in a week, even if the policy itself is behind schedule, it was something like agility.
But even without Omicron, Delta was already looting several regions of the province, and Ontario as a whole has seen exponential growth for several weeks; In Europe, the skyrocketing increase in cases was also followed by an increase in hospitalizations, and there are approximately 350,000 unvaccinated people over the age of 50 in Ontario. Data from other countries have shown that the immunity conferred by two doses of a vaccine erodes around six months, although it may be longer depending on the interval between injections. Data for Ontario were just beginning to show a decline in the 50+ category; the province’s threshold for a third chance is 168 days after the second, and that will likely apply here.
One source said Ontario will likely speed up access to third-shot reinforcements for the rest of the population as well – currently, that probably won’t happen until the new year. The National Immunization Advisory Council is expected to announce expanded guidance on boosters on Friday.
It will not be easy, because the province was not planning that. Two sources said the actual date for more than 50 vaccines remains variable: If new daily vaccinations continue to be slow, it could open up more capacity in the immunization system, and a tentative December 13 date could be moved forward. There are approximately four million Ontarians between the ages of 50 and 69; it takes about a week after a third dose to boost immunity, but most eligible citizens won’t get a booster in time for immunity to boost before, say, Christmas. The virus, again, has no timetable.
It can be difficult. The immunization system has already been stripped away by physicians reverting to their practices, exhaustion and understaffing at the public health level, and the closure of several mass vaccination centers. The province has turned to pharmacies to fill the gap (family doctors don’t seem to be a big part of the plan), but the province has also opened vaccines to children ages five to 11 and more than 100,000 incredible eligible children. they have received their first shot. Prime Minister Doug Ford has done little to push vaccination beyond a mandate for long-term care, and he has barely tweeted about vaccination in more than a month. But he pushed for vaccination on Wednesday, just a little.
“If you haven’t already, get vaccinated today,” Ford said in announcing a previously announced hospital in Mississauga. “If you postpone your second dose, get your second dose. And if you are eligible for your third dose, book your booster appointment as soon as you can. “
Ontario had already opened third-shot boosters to those over 70, healthcare workers, indigenous, mestizo and Inuit and members of their household, and those who received two injections of the AstraZeneca vaccine or a dose of Johnson & Johnson. . Ontario has approximately four million doses in freezers, new daily vaccines remain limited, and third doses have not moved quickly in the population over 70 years old.
Concerns remain that some mutations in the Omicron variant could result in vaccine evasion, although in a briefing on Wednesday, WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that on the condition that the data They are still in their early stages, “We believe that vaccines still protect against serious diseases, as they have against the other variants.”
We live with hope. In the same briefing, COVID Technical Director Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove warned that the question of increased transmissibility would be answered in the coming days and that the severity of the disease has not been firmly established. But he also said: “Everything we can do for Delta, which is dominant around the world, must be applied and strengthened for Omicron.”
Exactly, and vaccines top the list. Hopefully, the news about Omicron will be positive, but this pandemic remains a social challenge, every day, and also a personal one. A powerful public information campaign on the drivers would be welcome. A more durable infrastructure over passports, mandates and vaccine delivery may be a necessity. We can do better to protect people.
But reinforcements are coming, and if you’re eligible, it’s worth looking for a date and protecting yourself.
Reference-www.thestar.com